ME3: Milwaukee Sustainable Manufacturing Program

Note: The ME3 Program is not currently taking applications. If you are interested in receiving a free industrial assessment, contact UWM's Industrial Assessment Center. A program brochure is available here.

Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative to Improve the Bottom Line and the Environment

ME3 Mission: To improve the competitiveness of small and medium sized manufacturers in Milwaukee by promoting the implementation of cost-effective sustainable manufacturing* practices and technologies that collectively reduce community-wide negative environmental impacts.

The Milwaukee Economy, Energy & Environment program (ME3) is a low-cost program to help manufacturers cut operating expenses while at the same time helping to minimize negative environmental impacts of their manufacturing processes and practices.

The ME3 Team includes an array of recognized, local industry experts who have worked with thousands of manufacturers in the state on similar issues: everything from improving energy efficiency, to better natural resource management, to improved logistics, to pollution prevention. The ME3 Team draws from direct experience of saving Wisconsin firms money while improving environmental performance.

Cost: ME3 will cover the cost of a manufacturing process diagnostic offered by Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) (a $3,600 value) and will provide 50% or up to $5,000 on the cost of a follow-up assessment to identify a process/project improvement (typically valued between $10,000-$12,000). Additionally, ME3 will have grants available for a process or practice improvement implementation (20% of the total value of the implementation project with a cap of $10,000).Learn more: ME3 FAQs

Real Impacts: ME3 improved operational and resource efficiency at 22 small and medium sized Milwaukee manufacturers between 2011-2013. In aggregate, these 22 ME3 firms reduced energy use by 3.6 million kWh; diverted almost 9,000 tons of waste from the landfill; saved $2.1 million annually; invested $3.6 million in their plants; and saw an average payback on process/project improvements of just over 1.5 years. Here is what a recent ME3 alum had to say:

*Sustainable manufacturing is defined as the creation of manufactured products that use processes that minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources, are safe for employees, communities, and consumers and are economically sound (U.S. Department of Commerce definition).